Know Your Rights – Ricardo Diaz’s Story

Despite constitutional guarantees, Americans’ civil rights and liberties are constantly in danger of violation, whether by individuals, corporations or government institutions. Regardless of whether personal prejudices or national security concerns lie at the root of these violations, challenging them – and holding wrongdoers accountable – is imperative for the sake of constitutional integrity and the preservation of The American Way.

Trial Lawyers advocate for awareness, the truth, and a person’s right to know. They believe that in the absence of the truth, all of us stand helpless to defend ourselves, our families, our health, and our way of life.

Often times we don’t think about or worry about or understand what is happening to another…. until it happens to us. Deceits have no boundaries. Disease doesn’t recognize the color of our skin or our political party’s affiliation.

When it comes to cover-ups and false allegations by Agencies of the State and the Federal Government, there is not a soul amongst us who does not have a cringing fear of their Overwhelming Awesome power ….

It is at these times that we need experienced and dedicated Trial Lawyers….the Warriors in the Courtroom … who are willing to battle for us “tooth and nail” in the Halls of Justice…. To protect our cherished way of life.

Today the Insider Exclusive Investigative News Team visits with Joni M. Fixel and Collin H. Nyeholt, at the Fixel Law Offices, in a new Network TV Special, “Know Your Rights – Ricardo Diaz’s Story” to examine how Joni and Colin successfully won the right for a public employee to sue their supervisor for abusing their powers as a government official.

So the issue in Diaz’s case was to show that the government official was abusing his power when he retaliated and fired Diaz for attempting to use FMLA benefits for himself.

This was the first time that this type of action worked in the 6th Circuit. Although state officials are sued in their individual capacities, the government represents them legally. As stated previously, prior to this ruling public employees could take FMLA leave for themselves but they were not protected from retaliatory discharge by their employers.

But if they took FMLA leave for a family member…. Congress had carved out a protection for these workers for family care. The impact of such on society allowed government entities to fire a public employee for getting sick and using FMLA without recourse for the employee.

The official ruling came down in January of 2013…and there have already been 13 cases that have cited to the Diaz Ruling…. and many more to come.

Joni and Collin’s firm’s goals are….. Not ONLY To get Justice for their clients…but to make sure that everyone is treated with equal respect and dignity as guaranteed under the Constitution of the United States. Joni and Collin have built a substantial reputation by consistently winning cases other law firms have turned down.

Their amazing courtroom skills and headline grabbing success rate continue to provide their clients with the results they need……And the results they deserve.